Workwear should be a tool that helps you do your job safely and comfortably, yet for women across numerous industries, ill-fitting protective equipment remains a daily frustration. In this special episode recorded at the Future of Work event in Brussels, we explore the often-overlooked world of gender-specific workwear with two experts at the forefront of this issue.

Lena Bay-Høyland, Product Director at Fristads, reveals that while women's workwear has existed for decades, awareness and accessibility remain the biggest hurdles. "It's there, but somehow, miraculously, we don't notice," she explains. Meanwhile, Martyna, Lyreco's UK Innovation Ambassador and previous winner of our Pioneers program for her work on this very issue, describes the real-world challenges women face when forced to wear men's workwear in professional settings.

The conversation unveils fascinating insights into corporate purchasing behaviors that perpetuate these problems, with many companies opting for the simplicity of ordering a single product line rather than accommodating different body types. We also explore surprising specialized options that many don't realize exist – from maternity PPE to flame-retardant religious accommodations.

Most exciting is Fristads' innovative solution launching in 2026: gender-inclusive workwear offering both men's and women's fits under a single product code. This approach not only simplifies purchasing decisions but addresses sustainability challenges caused by inefficient production of women's sizes while creating more inclusive workplaces for everyone.

Whether you're responsible for workwear purchasing decisions, interested in workplace equality, or simply curious about how something as seemingly straightforward as protective clothing intersects with important issues of gender, sustainability and inclusion, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating workplaces where everyone can perform at their best.

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Releasedatum: 12-6-2025 07:00:00